At Least Five Dead As Suicide Bomber Attacks Maiduguri Market

least five persons have been killed in a suicide bombing in a crowded market in Gamboru, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in north-east Nigeria.

The blast occurred at about 6:30am near the entrance of the market where operatives of the commercial tricycles park waiting for passengers.

A hospital source said a dozen people were brought in with injuries as well as four bodies so far.

Another account put the number of dead persons at eight.

Early rising petty grocery traders usually make wholesale purchase from local farmers at the Gamboru market.

The woman, who pretended to be a trader herself, suddenly let go of the explosives, killing herself, a tricycle driver and many others around.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Boko Haram terrorist group is largely suspected.

In a telephone interview, Channels Television's correspondent, Blessing Tunor, said: “Those injured had already been moved to hospitals before we got there”.

She said that security had been beefed up in the areas with counter-terrorism troops stationed at different strategic positions.

“Security operatives were on ground stopping people from getting close to the area.

“In the capital city, everyone is going on with their normal activities.

“We do not see the dead bodies but some witnesses said five while some are saying eight. They said seven persons have been injured. We are trying to locate the hospitals that they were taken,” Blessing explained.